Abu Sayyaf militants, bombed two targets in Sulu Province Thursday. The first target hit was a telecommunications cell phone relay tower,

The second a bridge that leads to a military base in a string of attacks showing increased activity by the terrorist group. No injuries or deaths were reported in the attacks.

However, a third attempt, by three militants to plant a bomb along road ended with three killed. Before they could plant a new device.

“Philippine troops killed three suspected Abu Sayyaf members preventing another attack in same area of Sulu province the abu sayyaf had hit before.”
a police spokesman said in a statement.

The men who were armed and had explosives on them are believed to part of a demolitions team of ASG members who may have been the same cell that planted a bomb that killed two US special forces members three weeks ago in a small town.

The group was observed moving towards a blind spot on road leading to a Philippine military checkpoint. “It was almost the same spot where a IED or roadside bomb was used weeks ago two US Army Special forces members were killed visiting a school construction site.” Philippine Marine Maj Ramon Honteveros said on radio interview that aired in Manila.

Hearts and Minds campaign hurting extremist recruitment:
US backed counter terrorism efforts on Jolo Island include social and infrastructure projects to develop schools and other community projects is hurting the Abu Sayyaf and its base of followers in the area the Philippine government says attacks on aid workers, missionary groups, the red cross and other groups are part of the ASG plan to make areas they influence poor, poverty stricken, and cut off from communication.

“It is clear in the targets they are choosing to hit. They don’t people educated, especially young Moro’s also they don’t want people to have livetlyhood because they target communications, roads, and bridges.” Hontiverous said further in the radio interview. “The ASG knows if people’s lives improve they will be the losers so the bandits target progress – they want people in villages to be dependent on the ASG and destroy or attack anyone bringing progress.”

A philippine marine and US Specail forces member help restock a school in the southern Philippines with books that Abu Sayyaf extremists burned down

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